Credit Check Bureau

A credit check bureau is a company that works with banks and other agencies that lend money to keep track of an individual’s or a company’s credit rating. A credit check bureau, on demand, can release a credit report with the prospective customer’s credit rating and a list of reasons of how they can to determine that rating.

In the United States, there are three major credit check bureaus—Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Each of these credit check bureaus assembles their information on consumers differently, so their information may vary in accuracy and credit scores may vary as a result. Many companies and banks around the country, as well as other kind of lenders including mortgage companies, will contact a credit check bureau before extending a credit offer to a customer. All credit card companies consult with a credit check bureau before starting a relationship with a new customer. Some even consult with a credit check bureau before sending out “pre-approved” credit card offers to consumers.

Prospective lenders all have different standards for what is and is not an acceptable credit score, and the information provided by a credit check bureau will help them make a decision on whether or not to extend credit, how much credit and at what interest rate. Since the decisions of a credit check bureau can cost consumers a lot of money, time and frustration, it is important to make sure that the information they have is accurate.

Thanks to federal legislation, the task of how to get a free credit report can be answered by visiting a single Web site. All three major credit check bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, are now required by law to give consumers access to their credit reports for free once a year. By going to annualcreditreport.com, consumers can see what their credit report holds. All three reports can be different, so receiving all three is important to make sure your credit has not been adversely affected in a way that was picked up by one credit agency and missed by others. The same credit reports can also be received after a request made by mail or by telephone to a toll-free number.